Tie One On!

With the cooler weather (except here in Central Florida right now) upon us, one of the benefits is being able to wear scarves.  From knit to silk, from cotton to wool, the scarf options are HUGE.

I am a fan of wearing scarves but again, being a woman "of a certain age," I don't want to wear anything that will make me hot and sweaty; I get a little frantic and pull off everything to cool off.

No one, absolutely no one, wears a silk scarf as beautifully as a French woman.  I don't know what it is but much of it is unfussiness and aplomb.  Here are a couple of ways for you to beautifully wear a silk scarf.





There are tutorials on Pinterest, YouTube and Google Images.  Just play with your scarf and see what works best for you. There are so many beautiful scarves available everywhere and you don't need to spend a lot of money on them.  Many flight attendants wear scarves as part of their uniforms. The lovely flight attendants on China Air tied their scarves into roses, bows and origami shapes.

As far as the longer cotton scarf, also available everywhere, there are a myriad of ways to wear one. Check out the tutorials.



Then there is the infinity scarf - such an easy option. In fact, I took a long scarf like the ones above, made a twisty turn one time and sewed the ends together, resulting in a great infinity leopard print scarf that dresses up jeans outfits and looks great with red, black or truly almost any other solid color.



There is the cute look of a bandanna using a silk scarf, to dress up a hair style or bad hair day.



You can wrap a scarf around your shoulders, wear it over a jacket or even tie it onto the handles of your handbag. So many ways to use your scarf.




Wear it like Audrey Hepburn was known to do....for riding in a convertible or a windy day.



One of my tips to making a great bow with a silk scarf is to fold it into a long rectangle, put it over your neck, take the long ends and lay them side-by-side on your chest.


Take a rubber band or elastic band and pull a piece of the middle of both sides and pull them out and out some more until they make a bow.  You don't damage the scarf and you have a beautiful bowed scarf to wear in the front or over your shoulder.



You can also wear small scarves (almost hanky size) to dress up casual wear or set off a great piece of clothing.



And your scarf DOES NOT need to match your outfit.  It is a fun accessory and a great statement piece.





Some scarves are now available with their own jewelry affixed.
 

Or you can wear your own necklaces with your scarf.



You can even twist your scarf into a necklace itself.




So try wearing a scarf this week, whether it is to keep warm or to dress up your look. Just tie one on!
 
As this amazing designer says:
Money doesn't buy elegance. You can take an inexpensive sheath, add a pretty scarf, gray shoes, and a wonderful bag, and it will always be elegant.
Carolina Herrera 

So until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

The Ins and Outs of Style this Season

First off,  let me remind you that this is a list of "suggested" trends that are "in" and that are "out" for this season, according to Harper's Bazaar.  I don't want you to think that I insist that these lists be followed to the letter. However, it is a good idea to consider the list before you go shopping, particularly for gifts at this time of year.

Don't feel that you absolutely must follow these two lists. But they are worth looking at, thinking about and, if necessary, reject based on your budget, your likes and dislikes and due to the fact that we are not in the center of the fashion world. Again, just check it out and consider them before you make that purchase.

Dark crystals are very, very in for this season.  That means:
1.  Shoes with sparkle. I do not own a pair of Louboutin heels but it is easy to find dark sparkly pumps for this holiday season.  Don't spend a lot of money on this trend, particularly because it isn't practical for day wear.


2.  Brilliant bags  I do own a black "Chanel" handbag that I got as a host of a "designers knock-off" party many years ago.  Although mine isn't brilliant and sparkly, a brilliant bag is a fun investment...particularly a small bag for holiday parties and evenings out. Go to Stein Mart, TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's, Bealls Outlet or local boutiques to find something fun and special.


3.  Fan earrings  I don't think these will ever go out of style.  You don't have to spend a lot of money on a pair or two.  Charming Charlie's, Stein Mart, even Old Navy have a lot of cute dark sparkle earrings in the fan shape to be able to stay on trend and not spend a lot!


4. Art Deco watches  These are certainly fun and pretty but as a woman "of a certain age," I need a large watch face to be able to tell what time it is.  Art Deco watches are not large faced.


5. Stone-studded bracelets  Again, this is a lovely trend that is easy to find, doesn't need to cost a lot of money, and will last you a long time. Just remember that as they bang together, stones can come loose and fall off.



6.  D`Orsay pumps   A d'Orsay style pump is a woman's shoe in which the vamp of the shoe is cut away very close to the toe box, and the sides are cut away, revealing the arch of the foot. 


7.  Fabulous flats  One can never, ever go wrong with a cute, sparkly pair of flat shoes. You'll wear them forever.
 
8.  Outsize rings   Costume jeweled rings are fun and fabulous. Buy one really nice one or several inexpensive ones.  And wear them with panache.


Out for this season:
1.  Nude pumps  I think these are out for the winter season because you just can't wear them with tights. They make a bare leg look long and lean and this season isn't the time of year for that look.  Keep them, you'll wear them in the spring and summer next year.


2.  Brown clutches  Don't get rid of your brown clutch.  Just put it away.  At this time of year, you need a dark bag that doesn't contrast with your clothes and suits the weather.


3.  Punk rivets  Seriously, we knew this trend was temporary.  If you spent a lot of money on this trend, you may have seen the end of your ability to wear them...and your investment.


4.  Digital watches  Being a woman "of a certain age," I remember the first ever digital watch which was about the size of a box on your wrist. Although they've gotten smaller, they're not "in" anymore. Pack it away.


5.  Skinny bangles  These bracelets are summer airy and light...not appropriate for this season. Put them away and pull them back out to wear with your lightweight summer attire.


6.  Hefty platforms  Okay, you knew this was a temporary trend. Keep them, put them on a shelf with some weight in the toe box and use them as fabulous bookends.

7.  Contrast wingtips    These shoes were an obvious trend.  Don't toss them though. They might look cute in the spring.  Just don't wear them now.

8.  Class rings   Unless you just graduated from high school, you shouldn't ever wear a class ring anymore. Put it in your jewelry box until your granddaughter wants to wear it.  You're a stylish woman and this isn't.



Again, remember that trends come and go. So don't spend a lot of money on trends. Invest in classic pieces and buy some inexpensive trendy things to update your look.  This is how a creative designer works....

I start each collection thinking how I can refresh my classics.
Jean Paul Gaultier

So can you, so try it.  Until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,


Sooz


#womenofacertainage; #fashionforseniorwomen;  #fashiontips; #trendsforwomen; #classicstyle

I don't understand what makes a trend, do you?

Recently I asked Facebook friends to help me understand the trend of skulls in fashion. I see them on scarves, shirts, belts, socks, shoes, jewelry, even tattoos and I just don't "get" it. I think skulls are creepy and scary, and unless, like one of my Facebook friends suggested, one is in a motorcycle gang or a pirate, it is an odd trend.



I'm not judging those who wear them, but I can unequivocally state, you will not see that trend on me.

There are other trends that befuddle me.

For example, I am surprised when I see young women wearing pants or dresses with hems that drag on the ground.  It may be that they don't want to spend the money at a tailor. Yesterday at the grocery store, a very nice looking young woman was wearing a long black sleeveless dress with at least an inch of hem dragging on the floor, collecting dirt, garbage and filth.  It was unlined so it wouldn't take much to do a do-it-yourself hem job at home.




In my temp job in many buildings as I wait for an elevator, I've seen too many nice pantsuits being dragged through the parking garage dirt, sweeping dust into an office and gathering on the hems making young women look sloppy and unkempt. Tailoring makes such a difference and is so worth the investment. Either that or wear really high heels to take up the length!

Another trend I don't understand is wearing the collar of a shirt tucked into the jacket collar, instead of outside and flat.  It makes the clothes look thrown on instead of the minuscule effort of pulling out the collar of a shirt.  I now see it in magazines, television shows and on the street.  When did collared shirts become "untuck" worthy?



Wedge heeled or high heel sneakers are another perplexing trend to me. Sneakers are workout or comfort footwear therefore putting heels on them, in my opinion, defeats their purpose. Wearing heels is one fashion look and wearing sneakers is a totally different look and wear.



I know that stretching ones ear lobes is a fashion statement in certain areas of Africa but what the heck are young people doing that for here in the U.S.?  And what do they think their career paths will be with that strange look? It is called gauging but it is very bizarre to me.

  

And wearing sheer tops.  In my belief, one's bra is a foundation garment, not something to share with the world. And certainly not one breasts! It is getting harder to find attractive blouses and tops that aren't sheer!
 
I am all for wearing what looks good on you and using fashion to make a statement; I'm just perplexed at what these trends say about their wearer.

In my latest Harper's Bazaar magazine, they list the top ten trends that are in for this season and the ten trends that are now out.  I'll share those with you next week.  But take these lists with a large grain of salt. The list is only important for consideration -- we don't live in Manhattan where trends live and breath. It is fun to note, adapt and often, ignore.

Until next week's lists, please keep this in mind...

I think it takes time to find your natural style and learn not to be swayed by trends that might not flatter you.
Martine McCutcheon 

I remain, stylistically yours,

Sooz